Lubbock &
The Texas Panhandle
Lubbock &
The Texas Panhandle
Helping Families Plan Ahead for Medicaid, Long-Term Care, and Estate Transitions
Why Lubbock Families Work With Us
Lubbock isn’t “somewhere in Texas.” It has its own culture and needs:
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Retirees in areas like Tech Terrace, Ransom Canyon, Kingsgate, Lakeridge, Regents Gate.
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Families on farmland or ranch-land outside town (Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Wolfforth).
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Loved ones with emergencies at UMC or Covenant Medical Center.
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People with paid-off homes, land or ranches — and major concerns about what happens if long-term care becomes necessary.
We don’t just use legal “boilerplate.” We offer Lubbock-smart estate & asset guidance to help preserve what you’ve worked for.
Services for Lubbock County Residents
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Medicaid Asset Planning (MAP) : Plan ahead for Medicaid eligibility and long-term care while addressing how homes, land, and retirement accounts are structured.
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Lady Bird Deeds (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds): A commonly used Texas tool to help homes transfer outside probate and reduce exposure to Medicaid estate recovery when appropriate.
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Beneficiary / Transfer-on-Death Deeds: Coordinate clean, direct transfers for homes, land, and eligible assets, avoiding unnecessary delays and probate complications.
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IRA & Asset Structure Guidance: Help clients understand which assets are exposed, which are not, and how accounts are commonly structured under Texas Medicaid and MERP rules.
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Rapid Clawback Response: If Medicaid has already paid for care, We act fast to protect what remains and minimize recovery exposure.
What Every Panhandle Family Should Know About Medicaid & MERP
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Handbook. Texas’s Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) runs the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (“MERP”). If a Medicaid beneficiary (age 55 +) receives long-term care, the state may file a claim against their estate after death.
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“Estate” includes real property (homes, land), and personal property subject to probate — but not always retirement accounts or assets that pass by beneficiary designation. Texas Law Help.
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Proper use of tools like Lady Bird Deeds, Transfer-on-Death Deeds, and accurate estate planning can prevent state recovery without violating Medicaid rules.
Helpful official resource links:
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Apply for Medicaid or get Medicaid info: YourTexasBenefits.com
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MERP program overview and legal details: HHSC’s Guide to Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
Local Lubbock Contact
How We Work With You
Because I’m a service-area business, I don’t maintain a storefront or office in Lubbock. Instead I:
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Meet with you at your home, hospital, or any convenient location in Lubbock County
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Walk you through what Medicaid might count — and what it can’t touch
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Help you pick and implement the best legal tools so your house, land, and savings are safe for the long haul
Quick FAQ for Families
Q: Can Medicaid take my home once I enter long-term care?
A: In Texas, Medicaid can pursue estate recovery after death if assets pass through probate. With proper planning in place — such as deed structuring and asset coordination — many families are able to reduce or avoid that exposure.
Q: What if I’ve already applied for Medicaid or care has begun?
A: There may still be options, depending on timing and the assets involved. Acting quickly matters, and each situation needs to be reviewed carefully.
Q: Do I have to give up control of my property to protect it?
A: Not necessarily. Tools like Lady Bird Deeds allow many Texans to retain control during their lifetime while addressing how property transfers later.
Next Step —
Reach Out Today
If you’d like to talk — for yourself or for a family member — just send me:
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Age and general health situation (high level)
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Whether the person is at home, hospital, or long-term care
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A basic list of assets you’re concerned about (home, land, savings, IRA, etc.)
We'll walk you through what typically matters, what questions to ask next, and how families often approach planning in situations like yours. You’ve worked hard for what you have. Let’s make sure nothing gets missed.
Disclaimer – Not Legal or Financial Advice
Cotton Phillips Estate Services is not a law firm, and I am not an attorney. The services I provide — including assistance with filings, paperwork preparation, negotiations, guidance through administrative processes, and general organization of your estate or benefit-related matters — are only meant to help you understand your options and navigate available procedures.
LUBBOCK, TX
LUBBOCK, TX